Reviewed: 2018-02-14
Genre: General
FCCs: none
Review: I can’t really convey how magical this music is. The track review only provides signposts. It’s an amazing fusion of electronics, hip-hop, jazz, & ethnic rhythms with deep soul. Jump in – the water’s fine!
If You Like: Tomita, Portishead, Stevie Wonder, Weather Report
Track Review (favorites denoted by *):
*1/ Why 2x (3:48) – synth vocal starts> synth & vocals interplay, then slips into a midtempo funky groove> slows to fade
*2/ Journey of Zen (3:32) – guitar starts> uptempo jam> synth intersects with percussive effects & intersecting vocals> melody shift> midtempo jam> quick fade
*3/ Chill Wednesday (3:32) – synth starts slow> slow song over a midtempo beat with chanting> synth/percussion jam> slow song with chanting> slow fade
4/ One (3:04) – percussion/synth/vocals start> spoken word over the top, like poetry> quick shift to sonic instrumental interlude> uptempo jam with intersecting vocals> quick stop
*5/ Color Of Joy (5:02) – synth starts in waves of sound> vocals intersect over slow groove> shifting tempos & melodies all over a funky groove> morphs into a synthetic curtain of sound> morphs into midtempo space jam> fade
*6/ Butterfly (4:04) – synth starts with a sprinkling of electronic rain> vocals intersect over synth & heavy bass notes> echoing vocals> slow fade
7/ Seawave (4:50) – vocal chorus starts slow with synth, beats & flashes of synth intersect with chorus> morphs into midtempo funky beat with female chorus over the top> midtempo song with distorted female vocals> slow fade
8/ In The Morning (3:48) – synth starts slow & quiet> slow quiet song repeats phrase over & over> vocal chorus intersects> slow fade
*9/ December Glow (3:41) – heavy organ-like sounds start> slow jam with percussive beats> chorus intersects with ululating vocals> slow fade
10/ Refresh (0:45) – wild synth & distorted jam starts> quick stop
11/ Four Letter Word (4:07) – synth starts> slow song with echoing female chorus> slow fade
*12/ Can’t Breathe (3:13) – synth sprinkles notes like rainfall to start> synth& piano duet with a Japanese koto vibe> quick fade
13/ Looped (3:16) – synth starts slow with echoing looped vocals over the top, then swings to midtempo> midtempo song with echoing chorus> slow fade
14/ Brain Massage (4:12) – synth starts slow with repetitive riff> builds to midtempo duet with synth & piano over beats with interjected vocals> pulsing synth switches melody to hesitating midtempo jam> slow fade
15/ Floating (3:40) – heavy synth notes & drone undulate to start> drum machine kicks in> morphs into uptempo jam> melody shift, stays uptempo> a
*16/ Beat of Life (2:30) – synth starts uptempo with muted vocals & echoing chorus over beats> builds in volume & intensity> fade
17/ Funkonica (3:48) – synth starts like a cloudburst of notes> looping midtempo synth over beats begins echoing into space jam> melody shift to heavy synth notes under beats> slow fade
18/ Suspension Of Life (4:26) – synth/vocals start slow & quiet, build in intensity & volume> male & female spoken word dialogue over the top> quick fade
**19/ Tender Amor (4:50) -synth/drone starts slow with a electronic sitar overlay & bamboo flute> slow jam with gorgeous melody morphs into midtempo space jam with beats, then swings uptempo, almost danceable> slows to fade
*20/ The Lesson (4:04) – synth/electronic keyboards start slow with interjected vocals> midtempo jam> segues into reverse tracking midtempo jam with vocal overlay & vibes-like notes> midtempo jam with synth over the top> slows to fade